University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina Set To Host NCAA Men's Tennis Regional
May 1, 2012 | Men's Tennis
May 1, 2012
NCAA Tournament Central
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina men's tennis team has earned the No. 15 seed in the 2012 NCAA Championship and will host regional action at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center on May 12 and 13. This is the first time Carolina has hosted regional play since 2008. The Tar Heels also hosted regionals in 2004 and 2006.
First round NCAA Tournament matches will be played on Saturday, May 12 at 9 a.m. and 12 noon. The second round match will be contested on Sunday, May 13 at 1 p.m. between the two winners from Saturday. The winner of the regional advances to the NCAA Championships in Athens, Ga., May 18-28. In addition, two Tar Heels were rewarded with individual bids to play in the Championships final phase at Athens, Ga. on May 18-28. Junior Jose Hernandez of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic was one of 64 singles players to make the field. This marks his third straight NCAA bid in singles. In addition, Hernandez and senior Joey Burkhardt of St. Augustine, Fla., will have earned one of 32 bids for the NCAA doubles tournament.
The 9 a.m. match on May 12 will pit Tennessee against UNC Wilmington. Host Carolina will face off against the College of Charleston at 12 noon on Saturday.
Tickets are $5 for general admission seating for each day of the championship. Saturday's admission will be good for both first round matches. Children six-and-under will be admitted free of charge. Gates will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 12 and at 12 noon on Sunday, May 13.
North Carolina is ranked 17th in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings. Coach Sam Paul's Tar Heels are 13-7 overall after finishing in a tie for second place in the Atlantic Coast Conference and reaching the ACC Tournament semifinals. The College of Charleston is 18-4 overall. The Cougars won the Southern Conference Tournament to earn an automatic bid to the championship.
The first-match will feature the Tennessee Volunteers, who come to Chapel Hill with a 14-13 record. The Vols were 16th in the final ITA rankings. They advanced to the Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinals. UNC Wilmington is 17-6 overall. The Seahawks were 44th in the final ITA poll and finished as the runner-up in the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament.
Players Mentioned
